Blood Banks to issue blood only on MBBS doctors’ prescription
MUMBAI: Blood banks cannot issue blood and its components on prescriptions written by ayurveda, homeopathy and unani doctors, says a circular issued by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The August 18 circular will curb the indiscriminate use of blood in treatment that has led to a rise in transfusion-related infections and deaths, it added.
It has alarmed alternative medicine practitioners. Industry insiders say Mumbai hospitals too could face hardships during emergencies since many have hired ayurveda doctors to run their wards and ICUs.
The decision to restrict prescriptions on which blood will be made available was taken “solely keeping the safety of patients in mind”, Dr G N Singh, the Drugs Controller General of India, told TOI on phone. “The time has come for strict monitoring. It is important to know who is prescribing blood and how much. Our utmost goal is to see that patient safety is not compromised at any point.”
Singh added that the circular was issued on the basis of a clause in the Drug and Cosmetics Act that allows blood banks only to accept prescriptions from MBBS doctors, dentists and certified veterinarians. Alternative medicine practitioners believe it will adversely affect healthcare delivery in rural areas.
The Federation of Bombay Blood Banks said all banks in the city have received the circular. “The effective implementation of this decision is something the state health ministry and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have to decide. Whether the decision is right or wrong is not for blood banks to decide,” said a member who did not wish to be quoted on the “controversial issue”.
Injudicious use of blood and its components such as packed cell, plasma, platelets, etc, has recently come under BMC scrutiny too. As many as four out of 12 dengue deaths last year were attributed to over-transfusion of platelets.
A senior technician in one of the leading blood banks said many ayurveda and homeopathy doctors often prescribe blood to raise haemoglobin levels, something that can easily be done with tablets.
The alternative medicine practitioners now plan to raise the issue with the state government. “What if there is a road accident or a woman delivering in a taluka hospital? Where will you find an MBBS doctor to write a prescription,” questioned Dr Bahubali Shah, president of the Homeopathy Council of Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, nearly 1.2 lakh alternative medical practitioners make up for the missing MBBS doctors.
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Source:Timesofindia
